The handmaiden’s Estate in SL (Second Life) (Japanese)It is nice to be able to travel and explore the creativity of others, This is Japanese themed Estate. Gardens and Bath house.
When I was a child, my father would take me to places that now are only distant memories. These memories come back to me when I explore Asian builds in the virtual world.
Don’t think overly about people. Instead of being excessively concerned about others, focus on what yhou should do.
Perfect Liberty 2021.31
During these times of restricted travel, virtual travel is actually a great way to learn about other cultures, and places you’ve never been before. In SL I have met so many wonderful and interesting people, I have been a virtual traveler since 2007. I’ve met people from all over the world, and I’ve expanded my ability to stretch my creative ideas in more ways than I can count. Bonus.. I’ve made friends, good friends who have crossed the border into what we call RL (real life). The reality is, we are who we are, no matter where we are, or how we are expressing ourselves.
There are days when you want to simply clear your mind of all the mental debris that lingers in the crevices and nooks and crannies that fill up the space between your ears, and behind your eyes.
At home we can dig out the vacuum cleaner and do our best to manually suck up the dust and dander that has collected over time. If you are lucky enough to have hardwood or uncarpeted floors, you might even get to sweep up the different dust bunnies that have gathered here and there within easy reach. The mind however, can be a little trickier to unclutter.
Today I spent time enjoying the quiet of the church. With the pandemic having our city on lock down, the church is experiencing a lull in human activity. There is something to be said about being quiet, allowing the stillness to weave its magic .. and then accepting and allowing the mind to empty itself without haste, or worry.. When we meditate/pray, the heart rate mellows out, and tensions ease away. It is an amazing experience, and yet.. it is something that we often postpone, or put aside “till we have time”. Now more than ever, we need to make the time for reflection and “letting go”.
Do things joyfully instead of taking it easy. Enthusiastically engage with what’s in front of you. You’ll enjoy it more.
Perfect Liberty 2021.30
I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
I wish I could actually get all the trees and the crows in one picture.. but I need to hijack one of my photographer friends for that.
A friend came over and left me a big steak, a fillet of salmon and a package of bacon that had freezer burn. I chopped it all up into little pieces and this morning set out a buffet for the waiting birds. Even as they landed to grab pieces and then fly away, there were so many of them, that I lost count .. I knew that by the time I positioned myself and got the camera ready, poof they’d be off. In less than 10 minutes, the ground was clear of all signs that there had been a feast.
What I don’t get is there can be an empty sky, when I arrived there was one crow on a snow bank, he flew up into a tree as I drove in, and parked. By the time I scattered the food, they were all waiting, well a portion of them. As I drove away to give them space and position myself over a ways, I could see more crows coming from blocks away. How do they know? How do they communicate? Like after any big meal, some sat around just chilling, others left. Certainly there was nothing left on the “table’.
I noticed when I got to the one trail that I go to, this morning there were crows. I seldom see crows there, I would have liked them to stay around, but on my arrival they all took off. My usual crew of Evening grosbeaks, blue jays, woodpeckers and the little birds were hovering waiting… I set about filling feeders, dusting snow, and spreading the peanuts and sunflower seeds. Wasn’t long before the dining area was full of chatter and flapping about.
The beautiful cardinal was there this morning (guess I was early enough to catch sight of him) his female companion was there too. I was pleased that I was able to distinguish her by her head/shape and colouring. I’m getting better at recognizing the ones that I see regularly. I am even flattered that there are some of the chicks now that will actually land on me pecking at what is in my container. A few are as bold as brass.
Even the naughty little squirrels that I scold for getting into or on the flat feeders.. will just look at me now and talk back to me. so…. guess who went and got them their own peanuts complete with shells. Gosh.. is there hope for me… LOL it is fun. and I am getting my fresh air.
Be careful about saying “Its probably good enough” Wholeheartedly do what you notice, when and how you notice it.
with snow falling, I wanted to share an exotic bloom with you..
Be very careful about doing things you really like. do everything in moderation. When you overdo, you will lose your balance.
Perfect Liberty 2021.26
Handle things that come your way one by one. Tackle your issues in the order they appear in front of you. You will be able to get things done more efficiently this way.
Today I tried the Nikon. They were patiently waiting for me to give them some space so they could dive down to the banquet I’d laid out for them. There is another tree off to the right, there were more on that tree.
Today was a day of “waiting”. If anything getting to know birds and their tolerance for a human wanting to get a picture, is teaching me “patience”
Ok. can you tell if the other bird is facing us, or is that his/her rear?
I was waiting for someone to turn up between these two trees. I managed to push the button in time to get these two.. They aren’t doing anything interesting, but it was an accomplishment for me. It was 7 degrees here this morning. My fingers were not getting, they were numb.
this certainly looks like Mr. Grump
I have a great appreciation for the wildlife photographers who sit for hours to get a good picture. Not only do they have to wait for the bird to come into view, they then work their lenses to capture the bird in action or at least getting a good resemblance. LOL.. I at least can tell this is one of the blue jays.
Face challenging situations with positive determination. When you encounter difficulties, boldly take measures to overcome them. By creatively finding solutions, you will feel the joy in tackling any situation.
Perfect Liberty 2019.13
note… The crows are not in the same location as the Blue Jays
At Dewberry today I saw so many Evening Grossbeaks, it was a sight to see, the sunlight gleaming against their black and gold feathers. Sadly I didn’t even try to get pictures there. I was too occupied with filling the empty feeders. The Blue Jays were at Mer Bleue.
this is what the young pup looks like today, this side.. was the pup just a couple months ago.
With One thought “the world” will change … changing your way of thinking will make a difference on how you perceive the world.
Perfect Liberty 2021.24
The only constant in life is Change… how often do I say this. How often do I meditate on where I am, where I was, where I think I want to be. With the Chinese New Year looming, it will be in a couple of weeks now. I really have to make time to look at last year .. what if anything I accomplished, and what I think I want to change, or be different in the coming year.
February 12. will begin the new year – white metal Ox.(lunar calendar) it will last until January 30th 2022. diligence, persistence and honesty. In the Chinese’s Culture the Ox is a faithful friend and makes a great contribution to the development of society.. Can we use some of these qualities in our world today.. People born in this year are industrious hold their faith firmly, and are always glad to offer help. The year of the Ox occurs every 12 years.
My personal tradition is to spend the months prior to a new year, reviewing and contemplating on how I have been living and if I am happy in my “circumstances”.. praying for guidance that I will do what is right, and continue to grow as a person, who contributes to life .. as it is lived around me. I cannot change the world, I can only change “myself”.
I am so grateful that I am blessed with the good fortune of friendships that have enriched my life and that I continue to make new friends who share in the joy of life.
Sharing, caring and listening, are important ingredients in our desire for change.
Everyone has a good side. Make effort to see everyone’s good side. You will become more open minded and your ability to see the good in others will increase.
Perfect Liberty 2012.26
Blessings of the day.. I have only love in my heart for you.. I want only that we grow together in a world where the sun shines (goodness) every day in all ways. for EveryONE! Be open to change…
Try as I might, to me these pictures look hazy, except the crows, but even they have not got the clarity I thought I saw on my viewfinder It was snowing wildly, winds were blowing it all around me. My car kept disappearing under the swirling snow. For some reason it abated somewhat when I stopped at McDonald’s to treat the crows. The parking lot went from empty.. zero crows, to many.
I started the day with the thought that I would go on a door expedition. However that thought was swept away by the constant shifting of the winds and drifting snow/rain. We see a lot of door exteriors, this is the interior view of a lonely door. It doesn’t get used much except to hold left over “this and that” from my creative moments.
This morning the crows dined on freshly baked, chicken hearts, giblets and liver. My babies (whippets) got to have the nutritious gravy with their kibble. During these times of restraints and “forced” isolation, I find that being in and with nature is very calming.
Express your appreciation with enthusiasm. Appreciation is the driving force for progress and development.
Perfect Liberty 2021.21
PL Principle # 2 I will not have complaints about others, matters, nor the weather. Rather I will always be creative and will look for shortcomings in my own thinking and actions.
PL Principle # 3 I will live with a mind of appreciation towards others and things.
PL 21 Principles.
I am reminded every day of how blessed I am to have the wonderful friends that I have around me, and how when I meet strangers while in nature, they smile, and always have a sunny greeting to call out. Not only do the birds sing, and call out to each other, but there is children’s laughter, and the joy of people who have come to commune with nature. Everyone stays respectfully distant, and except for the odd person, all wear masks if they are going to be coming by or past you. It’s a new year. and a new way of BEING.
TAOIST Life is Art (Perfect Liberty precept #1)
contact info.- via blogs
--- there are two energies, Yin and Yang = ONE
---to have balance we must live each moment
of our lives.. with Makoto (sincerity)
The only constant in life is change. I am grounded in the reality of Living.
This is true, in all worlds. RL or virtual. I am me and only me.
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